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            ,,JHUMPA ,,LAHIRI

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                  #F4               #BAC

    #AIID
  ,HE LIVES 9 ,NEW ,YORK N[4 ,9 ,MAY HE
GRADUAT$ F ! >*ITECTURE PROGRAM AT ,CO-
LUMBIA4 ,HE'S BE5 "W+ S9CE !N =A FIRM 9
MIDT[N1 ) CELEBRAT$ L>GE-SCALE -MIS.NS
6XS "N4 ,X'S N ! SORT ( JOB HE'D 5VI.N$
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DESIGNS = HOTELS & MUSEUMS & CORPORATE
H1DQU>T]S 9 CITIES HE'S N"E SE53 ,BRUS-
SELS1 ,BU5OS ,AIRES1 ,ABU ,DHABI1 ,H;G
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T EA* -PON5T (A BUILD+1 H["E SMALL1 IS
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AF ALL 8 YE>S ( S*OOL+1 ALL 8 CRITS &
UNBUILT PROJECTS1 8 EF=TS >E 6H "S PRAC-
TICAL 5D4 ,HE TYPIC,Y "WS LATE 96HIS
EV5+S1 & ON MO/ ( 8 WEEK5DS1        #BAD
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WRIT+ SPECIFIC,NS1 BUILD+ ,/YROFOAM &
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IS EASY 6MISS1 A SCRAT*$-UP GLASS DOOR
2T A NEWS/& &A NAIL SALON4 ,X'S ! F/
A"P;T HE HAS 6HMF1 AF AN EVOLV+ *A9 (
ROOMMATES ALL "? COLLEGE & GRADUATE
S*OOL4 ,"! IS S M* /REET NOISE T :5 HE
IS ON ! PH"O &! W9D[S >E OP51 P (T5 ASK
IF HE IS CALL+ F A PAY PH"O4 ,! KIT*5 IS
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,HAV5 HE DIDN'T WANT 6MOVE BACK 6,MASSA-
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& LIVE 9 AN A"P;T 9 ,C5TRAL ,SQU>E Z 8
P>5TS ONCE _H1 & REVISIT ! /REETS AB : 8
P>5TS SP1K NO/ALGIC,Y4 ,HE DIDN'T WANT
6G HOME ON ! WEEK5DS1 6G ) !M 6PUJOS &
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  ,HE PREF]S ,NEW ,YORK1 A PLACE : 8 P>-
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!Y FE>4 ,HE'D -E 6"K ! C;Y SLI<TLY DUR+
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,VILLAGE1 OR 6BR[SE = BOOKS AT ! ,/R&4
,B Z A * HE'D BE5 6,NEW ,YORK ONLY ONCE
) 8 FAMILY1 A TRIP T _H GIV5 HM NO S5SE
( :AT ! C;Y 0 L4 ,!Y _H G"O "O WEEK5D TO
VISIT ,B5GALI FRS :O LIV$ 9 ,QUE5S4 ,!
FRS _H GIV5 8 FAMILY A T\R ( ,MANHATTAN4
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IES1 & POLYE/] S>IS & #BBJ-VOLT APPLI.ES
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WOR? SEE+1 A ,TRIBECA L(T T HAPP5S 6BE
DESIGN$ 0"O (! "PN]S AT ! FIRM4 ,! HO/ (
! "PY1 ,RUSSELL1 AN OLD FR ( ,EVAN1 "WS
=! ,,UN & HAS SP5T S"EAL YE>S 9 ,K5YA1 &
Z A RESULT ! L(T IS FILL$ ) AN IMPRES-
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SCULPTURE & MASKS4 ,GOGOL IMAG9ES T X W
2 A "PY ( HUNDR$S FILL+ UP A VA/ SPACE1
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OR S P SITT+ >.D A L[ C(FEE TA# SURR.D$
0CU%IONS1 EAT+ PICK$-OV] GRAPES & *EESE4
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FLIRTATI\S1 %E IS A LL BIT DRUNK4 ,%E
HAS DIRTY BLOND HAIR GA!R$ SLOP-    #BAH
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SMOO?1 H] JAWB"OS SLOP+ & UNUSU,Y L;G4
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LOOKS AWAY4
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LOOK+ UP AT AN IMPOS+ WOOD5 MASK T HANGS
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:ITE BRICK WALL 2H X4 8,"!'S AN EV5 SC>-
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IS :AT %E IS IMPLY+4
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PROGRAM AT ,COLUMBIA1 M5;N+ T %E'D G"O
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,%E L1NS BACK AG/ A COLUMN Z %E     #BAI
SP1KS1 SMIL+ AT HM EASILY1 DR9K+ A GLASS
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?AN HE IS1 CLOS] 6?IRTY ?AN TW5TY4 ,HE
IS SURPRIS$ 6LE>N T %E'D GRADUAT$ F COL-
LEGE ! YE> AF HE />T$ GRADUATE S*OOL1 T
=A YE> !Y OV]LAPP$ AT ,COLUMBIA1 LIV+ J
?REE BLOCKS AWAY F EA* O!R1 & T !Y H 9
ALL LIKELIHOOD CROSS$ PA?S ON ,BROADWAY
OR WALK+ UP ! /EPS ( ,L[ ,LIBR>Y OR 9
,AV]Y4 ,X REM9DS HM ( ,RU?1 (! WAY !Y1
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/RANG]S4 ,MAX9E TELLS HM %E "WS Z AN AS-
SI/ANT $ITOR =A PUBLI%] ( >T BOOKS4 ,H]
CURR5T PROJECT IS A BOOK ON ,&REA ,MAN-
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RECTLY T 8 FRESCOES >E 9 ,MANTUA1 9 !
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MI<T H _H ) ANYBODY1 B ,MAX9E HAS A WAY
( FOCUS+ H] ATT5;N ON HM -PLETELY1 H]
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FEEL1 = ^? BRIEF M9UTES1 ! ABSOLUTE C5T]
( H] _W4                            #BBJ
  ,! NEXT MORN+ %E CALLS1 WAK+ HM2 AT T5
ON A ,SUN"D HE IS / 9 B$1 8 H1D A*+ F !
,SCOT* & SODAS HE'D 3SUM$ "?\T ! EV5+4
,HE ANSW]S GRU6LY1 A BIT IMPATI5TLY1 EX-
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HAS BE54 ,HE HAS ! FEEL+1 F ! T"O (
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?OR\<LY R1D4 8,X'S ,MAX9E4 ,F LA/ NI<T10
%E SAYS1 N BO!R+ 6APOLOGIZE = WAK+ HM4
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BOOK1 ?\< HE DOESN'T REMEMB] TELL+ H] 8
LA/ "N4 8,GOD1 YR A"P;T'S NOISY10 %E RE-
M>KS4 ,!N1 )\T AWKW>D;S OR PAUSE1 %E IN-
VITES HM 6D9N] AT H] PLACE4 ,%E SPECI-
FIES ! EV5+1 A ,FRI"D1 TELLS HM ! AD-
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B %E SAYS NO1 X W 2 J HM4
  8,I %D PROBABLY W>N Y T ,I LIVE ) MY
P>5TS10 %E A4S4
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A RE/AURANT 9/1D4                   #BBA
  ,B %E LAU<S AT ? SU7ES;N 9 A WAY T
MAKES HM FEEL VAGUELY FOOLI%4 8,:Y ON
E>? WD !Y M9D80

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TEMB]1 RA9+ /1DILY1 ! SUMM]'S L1VES /
PL5TI;L ON ! TREES4 ,HE TURNS ONTO A RE-
MOTE1 TRANQUIL BLOCK 2T ,N9? & ,T5? ,AV-
5UES4 ,X IS 8 F/ DATE 9 A L;G "T2 )! EX-
CEP;N (A FEW =GETTA# A6AIRS AT ,COLUMBIA
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PURSUIT4
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JACKET POCKET1 ,MAX9E >RIVES4 ,%E KISSES
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RA9COAT IS DRAP$ ON A COAT RACK1 8 FOLD+
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ADORN$ ) PR9TS ( ROO/]S & H]BS & AN >-
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& PLATT]S >E 4PLAY$ ON OP5 %ELVES1 AL;G
) :AT SEEM 6BE HUNDR$S ( COOKBOOKS1 FOOD
5CYCLOP$IAS1 & VOLUMES ( ESSAYS AB EAT+4
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APPLI.ES1 SNIPP+ ! 5DS (A PILE ( GRE5
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8,& ? IS ,SILAS10 %E TELLS HM1 PO9T+ 6A
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T CR1K NOISILY 2N _! -B9$ WEI<T4 ,! PLAN
(! H\SE IS SIMPLE1 TWO IMM5SE ROOMS P]
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8 [N A"P;T4 ,POLITELY HE ADMIRES ! PLA/]
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9TELLIG5TLY & AT L5G? AB4 ,! WALLS >E
PA9T$ 9 FLAMBOYANT COLORS3 HIBISCUS P9K1
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PA9T+S & DRAW+S & PHOTOGRAPHS4 ,9 "O
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SLEEVE.S DRESS4 ,AL;G ! HALLWAYS ON E
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ALL ! NOVELS "O %D R1D 9 A LIFE"T1 BIOG-
RAPHIES1 MASSIVE MONOGRAPHS ( E >TI/1
ALL ! >*ITECTURE BOOKS ,GOGOL HAS "E
COVET$4 ,AL;GSIDE ! CLUTT] "! IS A />K;S
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ROOM %E TR1TS Z A CLOSET1 H] %OES &
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BACKS ( *AIRS4 ,^! PAT*ES ( 4ORD] MAKE
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(! BOOK RE/+ ON EA* ( _! KNEES4 ,%E
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AGO AF LIV+ )A MAN 9 ,BO/ON1 AN >RANGE;T
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LOOK =A PLACE ( H] [N %E SAYS X HASN'T
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X IS "S?+ HE _C PICTURE HMF DO+ AT ?
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9E'S PALE GRE5-GRAY EYES1 ?9 RECTANGUL>
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Y D4 ,I'M ,G]ALD10 HE SAYS1 NO4+1 %AK+
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TA#4 ,GOGOL DOES Z HE IS TOLD1 AW>E T HE
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B>ELY "KS4 8,Y'LL SIT "H1 ,NIKHIL10 ,G]-
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ORD] 6L1VE ! (FICE 9 "T =! DATE ) ,MAX-
9E1 & ALR ! W9E1 AT ONCE H1VI] & SMOO!R
?AN :AT HE IS US$ 6DR9K+1 HAS G"O 6HIS
H1D4 ,HE FEELS A PL1SANT A*E AT 8 TEM-
PLES1 &A SU45 GRATITUDE =! "D & ": X HAS
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S]VES ! FOOD ON BROAD :ITE PLATES3 A ?9
PIECE ( /1K ROLL$ 96A BUNDLE & TI$ )
/R+1 SITT+ 9 A POOL ( D>K SAUCE1 ! GRE5
B1NS BOIL$ S T !Y >E / CRISP4 ,A B[L (
SMALL1 R.D1 ROA/$ R$ POTATOES IS PASS$
>.D1 & AFW A SALAD4 ,!Y EAT APPRECIA-
TIVELY1 -;T+ ON ! T5D];S (! M1T1 ! FRE%-
;S (! B1NS4 ,8 [N "M WD N"E H S]V$ S FEW
DI%ES 6A GUE/4 ,%E WD H KEPT H] EYES
TRA9$ ON ,MAX9E'S PLATE1 9SI/+ %E H SEC-
ONDS & !N ?IRDS4 ,! TA# WD H BE5 L9$ )A
R[ ( S]V+ B[LS S T P CD HELP !MVS4 ,B
,LYDIA PAYS NO ATT5;N 6,GOGOL'S PLATE4
,%E MAKES NO ANN\NCE;T 9DICAT+ T "! IS
M4 ,SILAS SITS AT ,LYDIA'S FEET Z !Y
EAT1 & AT "O PO9T ,LYDIA SLICES (F A G5-
]\S POR;N ( H] M1T & FE$S X 6HM (F ( H]
PALM4
  ,! F\R ( !M G QKLY "? TWO BOTTLES (
W9E1 !N MOVE ON 6A ?IRD4 ,! ,RATLI6S >E
VOCIF]\S AT ! TA#1 OP9IONAT$ AB ?+S 8 [N
P>5TS >E 9DI6]5T TO3 MOVIES1 EXHIBITS AT
MUSEUMS1 GD RE/AURANTS1 ! DESIGN ( "EY"D
?+S4 ,!Y SP1K ( ,NEW ,YORK1 ( /ORES &
NEI<BORHOODS & BUILD+S !Y EI DE-    #BBH
SPISE OR LOVE1 ) AN 9TIMACY & EASE T
MAKE ,GOGOL FEEL Z IF HE B>ELY "KS !
C;Y4 ,!Y SP1K AB ! H\SE1 : ,G]ALD &
,LYDIA B"\ BACK 9 ! SEV5TIES1 :5 NO "O
WANT$ 6LIVE 9 ! >EA1 AB ! HI/ORY (!
NEI<BORHOOD1 & AB ,CLE;T ,CL>KE ,MOORE1
:O ,G]ALD EXPLA9S 0 A PROFESSOR ( CLAS-
SICS AT ! SEM9>Y ACR ! /REET4 8,HE 0 !
P]SON RESPONSI# = LOCAL RESID5TIAL ZON-
+10 ,G]ALD SAYS4 8,T & WRIT+ ,8',TWAS !
,NI<T ,2F ,*RI/MAS10' ( C\RSE40 ,GOGOL
IS UNA3U/OM$ 6? SORT ( TALK AT M1L"TS1
6! 9DULG5T RITUAL (! L+]+ M1L1 &! PL1S-
ANT AFMA? ( BOTTLES & CRUMBS & EMPTY
GLASSES T CLUTT] ! TA#4 ,"S?+ TELLS HM T
N"O ( ? IS = 8 B5EFIT1 T ? IS ! WAY !
,RATLI6S EAT E NI<T4 ,G]ALD IS A LAWY]4
,LYDIA IS A CURATOR ( TEXTILES AT !
,MET4 ,!Y >E AT ONCE SATISFI$ & 9TRIGU$
0HIS BACKGR.D1 0HIS YE>S AT ,YALE & ,CO-
LUMBIA1 8 C>E] Z AN >*ITECT1 8 ,M$IT]-
RAN1N LOOKS4 8,Y CD 2 ,ITALIAN10 ,LYDIA
REM>KS AT "O PO9T DUR+ ! M1L1 REG>D+ HM
9 ! C&LE'S GL[4
  ,G]ALD REMEMB]S A B> ( ,FR5*      #BBI
*OCOLATE HE B"\ ON 8 WAY HOME1 & ? IS
UNWRAPP$1 BROK5 A"P1 & PASS$ >.D ! TA#4
,EV5TU,Y ! TALK TURNS 6,9DIA4 ,G]ALD
ASKS "QS AB ! REC5T RISE ( ,H9DU FUNDA-
;TALISM1 A TOPIC ,GOGOL "KS LL AB4 ,LYD-
IA TALKS AT L5G? AB ,9DIAN C>PETS & M9-
IATURES1 ,MAX9E AB A COLLEGE CLASS %E'D
ONCE TAK5 ON ,BU4HI/ /UPAS4 ,!Y H N"E
"KN A P]SON :O HAS BE5 6,CALCUTTA4 ,G]-
ALD HAS AN ,9DIAN COLL1GUE AT "W :O J
W5T 6,9DIA = 8 H"OYMOON4 ,HE'D BR"\ BACK
SPECTACUL> PHOTOGRAPHS1 (A PALACE BUILT
ON A LAKE4 ,0 T 9 ,CALCUTTA8
  8,T'S ,UDAIPUR10 ,GOGOL TELLS !M4
8,I'VE N"E BE5 "!4 ,CALCUTTA'S 9 ! EA/1
CLOS] 6,?AIL&40
  ,LYDIA PE]S 96! SALAD B[L1 FI%+ \ A
/RAY PIECE ( LETTUCE & EAT+ X ) H] F+]S4
,%E SEEMS M RELAX$ N[1 QK] 6SMILE1 H]
*EEKS ROSY F ! W9E4 8,:AT'S ,CALCUTTA L8
,IS X B1UTI;L80
  ,! "Q SURPRISES HM4 ,HE IS A3U/OM$ 6P
ASK+ AB ! POV]TY1 AB ! BE7>S &! H1T4
8,"PS ( X >E B1UTI;L10 HE TELLS H]4
8,"!'S A LOT ( LOVELY ,VICTORIAN    #BCJ
>*ITECTURE LEFT OV] F ! ,BRITI%4 ,B MO/
( X'S DECAY+40
  8,T S.DS L ,V5ICE10 ,G]ALD SAYS4 8,>E
"! CANALS80
  8,ONLY DUR+ MONSOONS4 ,T'S :5 ! /REETS
FLOOD4 ,I GUESS T'S ! CLOSE/ X -ES 6RE-
SEMBL+ ,V5ICE40
  8,I WANT 6G 6,CALCUTTA10 ,MAX9E SAYS1
Z IF ? HAS BE5 A ?+ D5I$ 6H] ALL H]
LIFE4 ,%E GETS UP & WALKS OV] 6! /OVE4
8,I FEEL L TEA4 ,:O WANTS TEA80
  ,B ,G]ALD & ,LYDIA DECIDE AG/ TEA TN2
"! IS AN .,I1 .,CLAUDIUS VIDEO !Y WANT
6WAT* 2F B$4 ,)\T T5D+ 6! DI%ES !Y /&
UP1 ,G]ALD TAK+ _! TWO GLASSES &! RE/ (!
W9E4 8,GD NI<T1 DE>10 ,LYDIA SAYS1 KISS+
,GOGOL LI<TLY ON ! *EEK4 ,& !N _! FOOT-
/EPS CR1K NOISILY UP ! /AIRS4
  8,I SUPPOSE Y'VE N"E BE5 SUBJECT$ 6"S-
"O'S P>5TS ON ! F/ DATE 2F10 ,MAX9E SAYS
ONCE !Y >E AL"O1 SIPP+ MILKY CUPS (
,LAPSANG ,S\*;G F H1VY :ITE MUGS4
  8,I 5JOY$ MEET+ !M4 ,!Y'RE *>M+40
  8,T'S "O WAY ( PUTT+ X40
  ,!Y REMA9 A:ILE AT ! TA#1 TALK-   #BCA
+1 ! S.D (! RA9 E*O+ QUIETLY 9 ! 5CLOS$
SPACE 2H ! H\SE4 ,! C&LES %R9K 6/UBS1 &
SPECKS ( WAX DRIP ONTO ! TA#4 ,SILAS1 :O
HAS BE5 S(TLY PAC+ ON ! FLOOR1 -ES &
PRESSES 8 H1D AG/ ,GOGOL'S LEG1 LOOK+ UP
AT HM1 WA7+ 8 TAIL4 ,GOGOL B5DS OV]1
PATS HM T5TATIVELY4
  8,Y'VE N"E _H A DOG1 H Y80 ,MAX9E
SAYS1 OBS]V+ HM4
  8,NO40
  8,DIDN'T Y "E WANT "O80
  8,:5 ,I 0 A KID4 ,B MY P>5TS N"E WANT$
! RESPONSIBIL;Y4 ,PLUS WE _H 6G 6,9DIA E
C\PLE ( YE>S40
  ,HE R1LIZES X'S ! F/ "T HE'S M5;N$ 8
P>5TS 6H]1 8 PA/4 ,HE WOND]S IF P]H
%E'LL ASK HM M AB ^! ?+S4 ,9/1D %E SAYS1
8,SILAS LIKES Y4 ,HE'S V PICKY40
  ,HE LOOKS AT H]1 WAT*+ Z %E UNDOES H]
HAIR1 LETT+ X HANG LOOSE =A MO;T OV] H]
%\LD]S 2F WRAPP+ X ?"\.SLY >.D H] H&4
,%E LOOKS BACK AT HM1 SMIL+4 ,ONCE AG HE
IS AW>E ( H] NAK$;S 2N ! C>DIGAN4
  8,I %D G10 HE SAYS4 ,B HE IS GLAD T %E
A3EPTS 8 (F] 6HELP H] CL1N UP 2F    #BCB
L1V+4 ,!Y LOIT] OV] ! TASK1 LOAD+ ! DI%-
WA%]1 WIP+ D[N ! TA# &! BUT*]-BLOCK IS-
L&1 WA%+ & DRY+ ! POTS & PANS4 ,!Y AGREE
6G 6! ,FILM ,=UM ON ,SUN"D AFN1 6SEE !
,ANTONIONI D\# F1TURE T ,LYDIA & ,G]ALD
H REC5TLY BE5 6& RECOMM5D$ OV] D9N]4
  8,I'LL WALK Y 6! SUBWAY10 ,MAX9E SAYS
:5 !Y >E F9I%$1 PUTT+ A L1% >.D ,SILAS4
8,HE NE$S 6G \40 ,!Y G UP 6! P>LOR LEV-
EL1 PUT ON _! COATS4 ,HE HE>S ! S.D (A
TELEVI.N FA9TLY "? ! CEIL+4 ,HE PAUSES
AT ! FOOT (! /AIRS4 8,I =GOT 6?ANK YR
P>5TS10 HE SAYS4
  8,= :AT80
  8,= HAV+ ME OV]4 ,= D9N]40
  ,%E L9KS ELB[S ) HM4 8,Y C ?ANK !M
NEXT "T40

  ,F ! V 2G9N+ HE FEELS EF=T.SLY 9COR-
PORAT$ 96_! LIVES4 ,X IS A DI6]5T BR& (
HOSPITAL;Y F :AT HE IS US$ TO2 = ?\< !
,RATLI6S >E G5]\S1 !Y >E P :O D N G \ (
_! WAY 6A3OMMODATE O!RS1 ASSUR$1 9 8
CASE CORRECTLY1 T _! LIFE W APP1L 6HM4
,G]ALD & ,LYDIA1 BUSY ) _! [N EN-   #BCC
GAGE;TS1 KEEP \ (! WAY4 ,GOGOL & ,MAX9E
-E & G Z !Y PL1SE1 F MOVIES & D9N]S \4
,HE GOES %OPP+ ) H] ON ,MADISON ,AV5UE
AT /ORES !Y M/ 2 BUZZ$ 9TO1 = CA%M]E C>-
DIGANS & \TRAGE\SLY EXP5SIVE ,5GLI% CO-
LOGNES T ,MAX9E BUYS )\T DELIB],N OR
GUILT4 ,!Y G 6D>K5$1 HUM#-LOOK+ RE/AU-
RANTS D[NT[N ": ! TA#S >E T9Y1 ! BILLS
HUGE4 ,ALM )\T FAIL !Y W9D UP BACK AT H]
P>5TS' PLACE4 ,"! IS ALW "S DELICI\S
*EESE OR P@AT@E 6SNACK ON1 ALW "S GD W9E
6DR9K4 ,X IS 9 H] CLAW-FOOT$ TUB T !Y
SOAK TGR1 GLASSES ( W9E OR S+LE-MALT
,SCOT* ON ! FLOOR4 ,AT NI<T HE SLEEPS )
H] 9 ! ROOM %E GREW UP IN1 ON A S(T1
SA7+ MATTRESS1 HOLD+ H] BODY1 Z W>M Z A
FURNACE1 "? ! NI<T1 MAK+ LOVE 6H] 9 A
ROOM J ABV ! "O 9 : ,G]ALD & ,LYDIA LIE4
,ON NI<TS HE HAS 6/AY LATE AT "W HE SIM-
PLY -ES OV]2 ,MAX9E KEEPS D9N] WAIT+ =
HM1 & !N !Y G UP/AIRS 6B$4 ,G]ALD &
,LYDIA ?9K NO?+1 9 ! MORN+S1 :5 HE &
,MAX9E JO9 !M D[N/AIRS 9 ! KIT*51 _!
HAIR UNCOMB$1 SEEK+ B[LS ( CAF@E AU LAIT
& TOA/$ SLICES ( ,FR5* BR1D &       #BCD
JAM4 ,! F/ MORN+ HE'D SLEPT OV] HE'D BE5
MORTIFI$ 6FACE !M1 %[]+ 2FH&1 PUTT+ ON 8
WR9KL$ %IRT & TR\S]S F ! "D 2F1 B !Y'D
M]ELY SMIL$1 / 9 _! BA?ROBES1 & (F]$ HM
W>M /ICKY BUNS F _! FAVORITE NEI<BORHOOD
BAK]Y & SEC;NS (! PAP]4
  ,QKLY1 SIMULTANE\SLY1 HE FALLS 9 LOVE
) ,MAX9E1 ! H\SE1 & ,G]ALD & ,LYDIA'S
MANN] ( LIV+1 = 6"K H] & LOVE H] IS 6"K
& LOVE ALL ( ^! ?+S4 ,HE LOVES ! MESS T
SURR.DS ,MAX9E1 H] HUNDR$S ( ?+S ALW
COV]+ H] FLOOR & H] B$SIDE TA#1 H] HAB-
IT1 :5 !Y >E AL"O ON ! FIF? FLOOR1 ( N
%UTT+ ! DOOR :5 %E GOES 6! BA?ROOM4 ,H]
UNKEMPT WAYS1 A *ALL5GE 6HIS 9CR1S+LY
M9IMALI/ TA/E1 *>M HM4 ,HE LE>NS 6LOVE !
FOOD %E & H] P>5TS EAT1 ! POL5TA & RI-
SOTTO1 ! B\ILLABAISSE & OSSO BUCO1 ! M1T
BAK$ 9 P>*;T PAP]4 ,HE -ES 6EXPECT !
WEI<T ( _! FLATW>E 9 8 H&S1 & 6KEEP !
CLO? NAPK91 / "PI,Y FOLD$1 ON 8 LAP4 ,HE
LE>NS T "O DOES N GRATE ,P>MESAN *EESE
OV] PA/A DI%ES 3TA9+ S1FOOD4 ,HE LE>NS N
6PUT WOOD5 SPOONS 9 ! DI%WA%]1 Z HE _H
MISTAK5LY D"O "O EV5+ :5 HE 0       #BCE
HELP+ 6CL1N UP4 ,! NI<TS HE SP5DS "!1 HE
LE>NS 6WAKE UP E>LI] ?AN HE IS US$ TO1
6! S.D ( ,SILAS B>K+ D[N/AIRS1 WANT+ 6BE
TAK5 = 8 MORN+ WALK4 ,HE LE>NS 6ANTICI-
PATE1 E EV5+1 ! S.D (A CORK EM]G+ F A
FRE% BOTTLE ( W9E4
  ,MAX9E IS OP5 AB H] PA/1 %[+ HM PHOTO-
GRAPHS ( H] EX-BOYFRS 9 ! PAGES (A M>#-
PAP]$ ALBUM1 SP1K+ ( ^? REL,N%IPS )\T
EMB>RASS;T OR REGRET4 ,%E HAS ! GIFT (
A3EPT+ H] LIFE2 Z HE -ES 6"K H]1 HE R1L-
IZES T %E HAS N"E WI%$ %E 7 ANY"O O!R
?AN H]F1 RAIS$ 9 ANY O!R PLACE1 9 ANY
O!R WAY4 ,?1 9 8 OP9ION1 IS ! BI7E/ DIF-
F];E 2T !M1 A ?+ F> M =EIGN 6HM ?AN !
B1UTI;L H\SE %E'D GR[N UP IN1 H] $UC,N
AT PRIVATE S*OOLS4 ,9 A4I;N1 HE IS 3T9U-
,Y AMAZ$ 0H[ M* ,MAX9E EMULATES H] P>-
5TS1 H[ M* %E RESPECTS _! TA/ES & _!
WAYS4 ,AT ! D9N] TA# %E >GUES ) !M AB
BOOKS & PA9T+S & P !Y "K 9 -MON ! WAY "O
MI<T >GUE )A FR4 ,"! IS N"O (! EXASP],N
HE FEELS ) 8 [N P>5TS4 ,NO S5SE ( OBLI-
G,N4 ,UNLIKE 8 P>5TS1 !Y PRESSURE H] 6D
NO?+1 & YET %E LIVES FAI?;LLY1      #BCF
HAPPILY1 AT _! SIDE4
  ,%E IS SURPRIS$ 6HE> C]TA9 ?+S AB 8
LIFE3 T ALL 8 P>5TS' FRS >E ,B5GALI1 T
!Y _H _H AN >RANG$ M>RIAGE1 T 8 "M COOKS
,9DIAN FOOD E "D1 T %E WE>S S>IS &A BIN-
DI4 8,RE,Y80 %E SAYS1 N FULLY 2LIEV+ HM4
8,B Y'RE S DI6]5T4 ,I WD N"E H ?"\ T40
,HE DOESN'T FEEL 9SULT$1 B HE IS AW>E T
A L9E HAS BE5 DRAWN ALL ! SAME4 ,6HM !
T]MS ( 8 P>5TS' M>RIAGE >E "S?+ AT ONCE
UN?9KA# & UNREM>KA#2 NE>LY ALL _! FRS &
RELATIVES _H BE5 M>RI$ 9 ! SAME WAY4 ,B
_! LIVES BE> NO RESEMBL.E 6T ( ,G]ALD &
,LYDIA3 EXP5SIVE PIECES ( JEWELRY PRE-
S5T$ ON ,LYDIA'S BIR?"D1 FL[]S BR"\ HOME
= NO R1SON AT ALL1 ! TWO ( !M KISS+ OP5-
LY1 GO+ = WALKS "? ! C;Y1 OR 6D9N]1 J Z
,GOGOL & ,MAX9E D4 ,SEE+ ! TWO ( !M
CURL$ UP ON ! S(A 9 ! EV5+S1 ,G]ALD'S
H1D RE/+ ON ,LYDIA'S %\LD]1 ,GOGOL IS
REM9D$ T 9 ALL 8 LIFE HE HAS N"E WIT;S$
A S+LE MO;T ( PHYSICAL A6EC;N 2T 8 P>-
5TS4 ,:AT"E LOVE EXI/S 2T !M IS AN UTT]-
LY PRIVATE1 UNCELEBRAT$ ?+4 8,T'S S
DEPRESS+10 ,MAX9E SAYS :5 HE CON-   #BCG
FESSES ? FACT 6H]1 & ?\< X UPSETS HM TO
HE> H] REAC;N1 HE C'T HELP B AGREE4 ,"O
"D ,MAX9E ASKS HM IF 8 P>5TS WANT HM TO
M>RY AN ,9DIAN GIRL4 ,%E POSES ! "Q \ (
CURIOS;Y1 )\T HOP+ =A "PICUL> RESPONSE4
,HE FEELS ANGRY AT 8 P>5TS !N1 WI%+ !Y
CD 2 O!RWISE1 "K+ 9 8 HE>T :AT ! ANSW]
IS4 8,I DON'T "K10 HE TELLS H]4 8,I
GUESS S4 ,X DOESN'T MATT] :AT !Y WANT40
  ,%E VISITS HM 9FREQU5TLY2 %E & ,GOGOL
>E N"E CLOSE 6HIS NEI<BORHOOD = ANY REA-
SON1 & EV5 ! ABSOLUTE PRIVACY !Y WD H _H
"! IS ( NO APP1L4 ,/1 "S NI<TS :5 H] P>-
5TS H A D9N] "PY %E HAS NO 9T]E/ IN1 OR
SIMPLY 6BE FAIR1 %E APPE>S1 QKLY FILL+
UP ! SMALL SPACE ) H] G>D5IA P]FUME1 H]
COAT1 H] BIG BR[N L1!R BAG1 H] 4C>D$
CLO!S1 & !Y MAKE LOVE ON 8 FUTON Z !
TRA6IC RUM#S 2L4 ,HE IS N]V\S 6H H] 9 8
PLACE1 AW>E T HE HAS PUT NO?+ UP ON 8
WALLS1 T HE HAS N BO!R$ 6BUY LAMPS 6RE-
PLACE ! 4MAL GL[ (! CEIL+ LI<T4 8,OH1
,NIKHIL1 X'S TOO AW;L10 %E EV5TU,Y SAYS
ON "O ( ^! O3A.NS1 B>ELY ?REE MON?S AF
!Y'VE MET4 8,I WON'T LET Y LIVE     #BCH
"H40 ,:5 8 "M _H SD M OR LESS ! SAME ?+1
! F/ "T 8 P>5TS _H VISIT$ ! A"P;T1 HE'D
>GU$ ) H]1 HOTLY DEF5D+ ! M]ITS ( 8 SP>-
TAN1 SOLIT>Y EXI/;E4 ,B :5 ,MAX9E SAYS
X1 A4+ 8Y %D J /AY ) ME10 HE IS QUIETLY
?RILL$4 ,0!N HE "KS 5 AB H] 6"K T %E IS
N "O 6(F] ?+S IF %E DOESN'T M1N !M4 ,/1
HE DEMURS2 :AT WD H] P>5TS ?9K8 ,%E
%RUGS4 8,MY P>5TS LOVE Y10 %E SAYS
MATT]-(-FACTLY1 DEF9ITIVELY1 J Z %E SAYS
"EY?+ ELSE4 ,& S HE MOVES 9 ) H] 9 A
WAY1 BR++ A FEW BAGS ( 8 CLO!S1 NO?+
ELSE4 ,8 FUTON & 8 TA#1 8 KETTLE & TOA/]
& TELEVI.N &! RE/ ( 8 ?+S1 REMA9 ON ,AM-
/]DAM ,AV5UE4 ,8 ANSW]+ MA*9E 3T9UES TO
RECORD 8 MESSAGES4 ,HE 3T9UES 6RCV 8
MAIL "!1 9 A "N.S METAL BOX4

  ,)9 SIX MON?S HE HAS ! KEYS 6! ,RAT-
LI6S' H\SE1 A SET ( : ,MAX9E PRES5TS 6HM
ON A SILV] ,TI6ANY *A94 ,L H] P>5TS1 HE
HAS -E 6CALL H] ,MAX4 ,HE DROPS (F 8
%IRTS AT ! DRY CL1N] >.D ! CORN] F H]
PLACE4 ,HE KEEPS A TOO?BRU% & RAZOR ON
H] CLUTT]$ P$E/AL S9K4 ,9 ! MORN-   #BCI
+S A FEW "TS A WEEK HE GETS UP E>LY &
GOES RUNN+ 2F "W ) ,G]ALD AL;G ! ,HUD-
SON1 D[N 6,BATT]Y ,P>K ,C;Y & BACK4 ,HE
VOLUNTE]S 6TAKE ,SILAS \ = WALKS1 HOLD+
! L1% Z ! DOG SNI6S & POKES AT TREES1 &
HE PICKS UP ,SILAS'S W>M %IT )A PLA/IC
BAG4 ,HE SP5DS 5TIRE WEEK5DS HOL$ UP 9 !
H\SE1 R1D+ BOOKS F ,G]ALD & ,LYDIA'S
%ELVES1 ADMIR+ ! SUNLI<T T FILT]S "? !
ENORM\S UNADORN$ W9D[S DUR+ ! C\RSE (!
"D4 ,HE -ES 6PREF] C]TA9 S(AS & *AIRS TO
O!RS2 :5 HE IS N "!1 HE C 3JURE ! PA9T+S
& PHOTOGRAPHS >RAY$ ON ! WALLS4 ,HE HAS
6MAKE A PO9T ( GO+ 6HIS /UDIO1 ( RESETT+
! TAPE ON 8 ANSW]+ MA*9E1 PAY+ 8 R5T
*ECK & 8 BILLS4
  ,(T51 ON WEEK5DS1 HE HELPS 6%OP & PRE-
P>E = ,G]ALD & ,LYDIA'S D9N] "PIES1
PEEL+ APPLES & DEVE9+ %RIMP ) ,LYDIA1
HELP+ 6%UCK OY/]S1 GO+ D[N 6! CELL> )
,G]ALD 6BR+ UP ! EXTRA *AIRS1 ! W9E4 ,HE
HAS FALL5 ! T9IE/ BIT 9 LOVE ) ,LYDIA &)
! "U/AT$1 UNFLU/]$ WAY %E 5T]TA9S4 ,HE
IS ALW /RUCK 0^! D9N]S3 ONLY A DOZ5 OR S
GUE/S SITT+ >.D ! C&LELIT TA#1 A    #BDJ
C>E;LLY SELECT$ MIX ( PA9T]S1 $ITORS1
ACADEMICS1 GALL]Y [N]S1 EAT+ ! M1L C\RSE
0C\RSE1 TALK+ 9TELLIG5TLY UNTIL ! EV5+'S
5D4 ,H[ DI6]5T !Y >E F 8 [N P>5TS' P>-
TIES1 *E];LLY UNRULY EV5+S 6: "! 7 N"E
FEW] ?AN ?IRTY P 9VIT$1 SMALL *N 9 T[4
,FI% & M1T S]V$ SIDE 0SIDE1 S _M C\RSES
T P _H 6EAT 9 %IFTS1 ! FOOD / 9 ! PANS
!Y 7 COOK$ 9 CR[D+ ! TA#4 ,!Y SAT ": !Y
CD1 9 ! DI6]5T ROOMS (! H\SE1 HALF ! P
HAV+ F9I%$ 2F ! O!R HALF 2GAN4 ,UNLIKE
,G]ALD & ,LYDIA1 :O PRESIDE AT ! C5T] (
_! D9N]S1 8 P>5TS 2HAV$ M L CAT]]S 9 _!
[N HOME1 SOLICIT\S & WAT*;L1 WAIT+ UNTIL
MO/ ( _! GUE/S' PLATES 7 /ACK$ 0! S9K 9
ORD] F9,Y 6HELP !MVS4 ,AT "TS1 Z ! LAU<-
T] AT ,G]ALD & ,LYDIA'S TA# SWELLS1 &
ANO!R BOTTLE ( W9E IS OP5$1 & ,GOGOL
RAISES 8 GLASS 6BE FILL$ YET AG1 HE IS
3SCI\S (! FACT T 8 IMM].N 9 ,MAX9E'S
FAMILY IS A 2TRAYAL ( 8 [N4 ,X ISN'T
SIMPLY ! FACT T 8 P>5TS DON'T "K AB
,MAX9E1 T !Y H NO IDEA H[ M* "T HE SP5DS
) H] & ,G]ALD & ,LYDIA4 ,9/1D X IS 8 K T
A"P F _! A6LU;E1 ,G]ALD & ,LYDIA    #BDA
>E SECURE 9 A WAY 8 P>5TS W N"E BE4 ,HE
_C IMAG9E 8 P>5TS SITT+ AT ,LYDIA & ,G]-
ALD'S TA#1 5JOY+ ,LYDIA'S COOK+1 APPRE-
CIAT+ ,G]ALD'S SELEC;N ( W9E4 ,HE _C
IMAG9E !M 3TRIBUT+ 6"O ( _! D9N] "PY
3V]S,NS4 ,& YET "H HE IS1 NI<T AF NI<T1
A WELCOME A4I;N 6! ,RATLI6S' UNIV]SE1
DO+ J T4

  ,9 ,JUNE1 ,G]ALD & ,LYDIA 4APPE> 6_!
LAKE H\SE 9 ,NEW ,HAMP%IRE4 ,X IS AN UN-
"Q$ RITUAL1 A YE>LY MIGR,N 6! T[N ":
,G]ALD'S P>5TS LIVE YE>-R.D4 ,=A FEW "DS
A S]IES ( CANVAS TOTE BAGS A3UMULATE 9 !
HALLWAY1 C>DBO>D BOXES FULL ( LIQUOR1
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PACK$ & REPACK$1 FITT+ 9 Z _M GIFTS Z
POSSI# = _! RELATIVES4 ,9 SPITE ( 8 P>-
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-PANY+ ^! PREP>,NS1 ,A%IMA & ,A%OKE AT
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FEW] FACES AT ! AIRPORT 9 ,CAL-     #BDB
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AT "W4 ,9 ,G]ALD & ,LYDIA'S WAKE1 C]TA9
?+S >E MISS+3 ,SILAS1 "S (! COOKBOOKS1 !
FOOD PROCESSOR1 NOVELS & ;,,CD'S1 ! FAX
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! KIT*53 8,WE'RE (F60 ,LYDIA HAS WRITT51
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,*ELSEA 6!MVS4 ,!Y /RAY 6! L[] /ORIES1
MAK+ LOVE ON C.T.S PIECES ( FURNITURE1
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EV5 ON ! PE>L GRAY %EETS ( ,G]ALD &
,LYDIA'S B$4 ,ON WEEK5DS !Y W&] NAK$ F
ROOM 6ROOM1 UP & D[N ! FIVE         #BDC
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AC 6_! MOODS1 SPR1D+ AN OLD COTTON QUILT
ON ! FLOOR1 "S"TS EAT+ TAKE-\ ON ,G]ALD
& ,LYDIA'S F9E/ *9A1 FALL+ ASLEEP AT ODD
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,Z ! "DS GR[ W>M]1 !Y /OP COOK+ -PLICAT$
?+S4 ,!Y LIVE (F SU%I & SALADS & COLD
POA*$ SALMON4 ,!Y SWIT* F R$ W9E 6:ITE4
,N[ T X IS J ! TWO ( !M X SEEMS 6HM1 M
?AN "E1 T !Y >E LIV+ TGR4 ,& YET = "S
R1SON X IS DEP5D;E1 N ADULTHOOD1 HE
FEELS4 ,HE FEELS FREE ( EXPECT,N1 ( RE-
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SPITE ( _! ABS;E1 ,G]ALD & ,LYDIA 3T9UE
6"L1 H["E BLLY1 OV] _! "DS4 ,X IS _!
BOOKS HE R1DS1 _! MUSIC HE LI/5S TO4 ,_!
FRONT DOOR HE UNLOCKS :5 HE GETS BACK F
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  ,HE LE>NS T ! H\SE1 = ALL XS B1UTY1
HAS C]TA9 FAULTS 9 ! SUMM] MON?S1 S T X
MAKES ALL ! M S5SE T X IS A PLACE ,G]ALD
& ,LYDIA ANNU,Y AVOID4 ,X LACKS AIR-
3DI;N+1 "S?+ ,G]ALD & ,LYDIA H      #BDD
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HOT1 &! ENORM\S W9D[S LACK SCRE5S4 ,Z A
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8 E>S & L1VE ANGRY1 LUMP5 WELTS 2T 8
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9*ES 2L ! CEIL+1 ALW TOO HI< UP 6KILL4

  ,) "W Z AN EXCUSE HE DOES N G HOME TO
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A -PETI;N1 SUBMITT+ DESIGNS =A      #BDE
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MO/ (! O!R DESIGN]S ON 8 T1M1 ALL RU%+
6F9I% DRAW+S & MODELS 0! MON?'S 5D4 ,:5
8 PH"O R+S1 HE HOPES X'S ,MAX9E1 CALL+
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SCRE54
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  8,I C'T10 HE SAYS4 ,HE TELLS H] HE HAS
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HE & ,MAX9E >E L1V+ = ,NEW ,HAMP%IRE1 =
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F ,OHIO Z ,I AM F ,BO/ON40
  8,T'S NO WAY 6?9K10 8 "M SAYS4
8,PL1SE1 ,GOGOL4 ,Y HAV5'T BE5      #BDG
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  8,I H A JOB1 ,MA4 ,I'M BUSY4 ,2SS1
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  8,SONIA LIVES 9 ,CALI=NIA4 ,Y >E S
CLOSE40
  8,LI/51 ,I C'T -E HOME T WEEK5D10 HE
SAYS4 ,! TRU? SEEPS \ ( HM SL[LY4 ,HE
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9T]E/1 6H]1 T %E LOVES HM 9 SPITE ( X4
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T9N$ P@AT@ES & J>S ( CORNI*ONS & *UTNEYS
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! BASKET1 AT ,D1N & ,DE,LUCA1 HE'D SD
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  8,:Y ON E>? >E WE GETT+ A SECUR;Y SYS-
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  8,X 0 YR "F'S IDEA10 8 "M SAYS1 8N[ T
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  ,8 "M (F]S !M GLASSES ( FRO?Y P9K LAS-
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TURES ( ,SONIA & HM 9 FRONT ( BLUE-GRAY
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"M'S S>I1 M5;N+ T H] "M CURATES TEXTILES
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  8,! ,MET80                        #BEB
  8,! ,METROPOLITAN ,MUSEUM ( ,>T10
,MAX9E EXPLA9S4
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8,X'S ! BIG MUSEUM ON ,FIF? ,AV5UE4 ,)
ALL ! /EPS4 ,I TOOK Y "! 6SEE ! ,EGYP-
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  8,YES1 ,I REMEMB]4 ,MY "F 0 AN >TI/10
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8 "F 5T]S ! LIV+ ROOM1 AL;G )A UNI=M$
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?9 BR[N COTTON PANTS1 AN UNTUCK$1 SLI<T-
LY WR9KL$ %ORT-SLEEV$ %IRT1 & FLIP-
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6MEET ,MAX9E40
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  8,G AH1D & />T10 8 "M SAYS1 / HOV]+ 2T
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COLLEGE1 :AT X IS H] P>5TS D4 ,B ,MAX9E
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REM9D$ (! F/ "T HE'D MET H]1 :5 %E'D SE-
DUC$ HM 9 ! SAME WAY4 ,%E ASKS 8 "F AB 8
RESE>* PROJECT 9 ,CLEVEL&1 8 "M AB H]
"P-"T JOB AT ! LOCAL PUBLIC LIBR>Y1 :
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!Y >E N US$ 6PASS+ ?+S >.D ! TA#1 OR TO
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P>5TS' ONCE :5 %E 0 0H]F4 ,:5 %E TELLS
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8,RE,Y8 ,I ?"\ NO "O DID T 9 ,AM]ICA40
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,MANHATTAN1 8 "F %AKES 8 H1D4 8,NEW
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6DRIVE 9 ! D>K10 HE SAYS4
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HONOR ( 8 BIR?"D4 ,HE RCVS A ,HALLM>K
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HUNDR$ DOLL>S1 A NAVY BLUE COTTON SW1T]
F ,FIL5E'S4
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DROP AT NI<T40                      #BEF
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BYE1 9ITIAT$ 0,MAX9E1 8 P>5TS RECIPRO-
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ON : X W 2 ACTIVAT$4
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"F4 8,GD LUCK )! PROJECT40
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H\SES AWAY4 ,HANK1 A RETIR$ PROFESSOR (
CLASSICAL >*AEOLOGY1 ALW BR+S A SMALL
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MON?1 ! H\SE !Y R5T$ 9 ,CAMBRIDGE1 LIV+
2L ! ,MONTGOM]YS1 ! FACULTY A"P;T ON
CAMPUS1 &1 LA/LY1 ! "O !Y [N N[4    #BHG
,"O H&1 FIVE HOMES4 ,A LIFE"T 9 A FI/4
  ,F "T 6"T1 %E LOOKS \ ! W9D[1 AT ! LI-
LAC SKY ( E>LY EV5+1 VIVIDLY T+$ ) TWO
P>ALLEL /RIPES ( P9K4 ,%E LOOKS UP AT !
PH"O ON ! WALL1 WI%+ X WD R+4 ,%E W BUY
H] HUSB& A CELL PH"O = ,*RI/MAS1 %E DE-
CIDES4 ,%E 3T9UES 6"W 9 ! SIL5T H\SE1 9
! WAN+ LI<T1 N BO!R+ 6RE/1 ?\< H] WRI/
HAS 2GUN 6A*E1 N BO!R+ 6GET UP & TURN ON
! LAMP OV] ! TA#1 OR ! LI<TS ON ! LAWN
OR 9 ANY (! O!R ROOMS1 UNTIL ! TELEPH"O
R+S4 ,%E ANSW]S AF HALF A R+1 B X'S ONLY
A TELEM>KET]1 "S POOR S\L ON WEEK5D DU-
TY1 ASK+ RELUCTANTLY IF A ,MRS41 UM--
  8,GANGULI10 ,A%IMA REPLIES T>TLY 2F
HANG+ UP4
  ,AT TWILI<T ! SKY TURNS A PALE B 9T5SE
BLUE1 &! TREES ON ! LAWN &! %APES (!
NEI<BOR+ H\SES 2COME SILH\ETTES1 SOLIDLY
BLACK4 ,AT FIVE O'C H] HUSB& / HASN'T
CALL$4 ,%E CALLS 8 A"P;T & GETS NO AN-
SW]4 ,%E CALLS T5 M9UTES LAT]1 !N T5 M9-
UTES AF T4 ,X IS H] [N VOICE ON ! ANSW]+
MA*9E1 RECIT+ ! NUMB] & ASK+ ! CALL] TO
L1VE A MESSAGE4 ,EA* "T %E CALLS    #BHH
%E LI/5S 6! T"O1 B %E DOESN'T L1VE A
MESSAGE4 ,%E 3SID]S ! PLACES HE MAY H
/OPP$ ON 8 WAY HOME--! PH>MACY 6PICK UP
A PRESCRIP;N1 ! SUP]M>KET = FOOD4 ,0SIX
O'C %E C NO L;G] 4TRACT H]F 0S1L+ &
/AMP+ ! 5VELOPES %E'S SP5T ALL "D AD-
DRESS+4 ,%E CALLS DIRECTORY ASSI/.E1
ASK+ = AN OP]ATOR 9 ,CLEVEL&1 !N CALLS !
NUMB] (! HOSPITAL HE TOLD H] HE'D G"O
TO4 ,%E ASKS =! EM]G5CY ROOM1 IS 3NECT$
6"O "P (! HOSPITAL AF ANO!R4 8,HE'S J "!
= AN EXAM9,N10 %E TELLS ! P :O ANSW] &
TELL H] 6HOLD4 ,%E SPELLS ! LA/ "N Z %E
HAS HUNDR$S ( ?\S&S ( "TS 0N[1 8;,G L
GRE510 8;,N L NAPK940 ,%E HOLDS ! L9E
UNTIL %E IS TEMPT$ 6HANG UP1 WOND]+ ALL
! :ILE IF H] HUSB& IS TRY+ 6R1* H] F
HOME1 REGRETT+ N HAV+ CALL WAIT+4 ,%E IS
4CONNECT$1 CALLS AG4 8,GANGULI10 %E
SAYS4 ,AG %E IS TOLD 6HOLD4 ,!N A P]SON
-ES ON ! L9E1 A "Y WOMAN'S VOICE1 NO
OLD] ?AN ,SONIA PROBABLY4 8,YES4 ,I D
APOLOGIZE =! WAIT4 ,6:OM AM ,I SP1K+80
  8,A%IMA ,GANGULI10 ,A%IMA SAYS4
8,A%OKE ,GANGULI'S WIFE4 ,6:OM AM   #BHI
,I SP1K+1 PL1SE80
  8,I SEE4 ,I'M SORRY1 MA'AM4 ,I'M ! IN-
T]N :O F/ EXAM9$ YR HUSB&40
  8,I'VE BE5 HOLD+ ON = NE>LY HALF AN
H\R4 ,IS MY HUSB& / "! OR HAS HE G"O80
  8,I'M V SORRY1 MA'AM10 ! "Y WOMAN RE-
P1TS4 8,WE'VE BE5 TRY+ 6R1* Y40
  ,& !N ! "Y WOMAN TELLS H] T ! PATI5T1
,A%OKE ,GANGULI1 H] HUSB&1 HAS EXPIR$4
  ,EXPIR$4 ,A ^W US$ = LIBR>Y C>DS1 =
MAGAZ9E SUBSCRIP;NS4 ,A ^W :1 = S"EAL
SECONDS1 HAS NO E6ECT :ATSO"E ON ,A%IMA4
  8,NO1 NO1 X M/ 2 A MISTAKE10 ,A%IMA
SAYS CALMLY1 %AK+ H] H1D1 A SMALL LAU<
ESCAP+ F H] ?ROAT4 8,MY HUSB& IS N "! =
AN EM]G5CY4 ,ONLY =A /OMA*A*E40
  8,I'M SORRY1 ,MRS4 ''' ,GANGULI1 IS
X80
  ,%E LI/5S 6"S?+ AB A HE>T ATTACK1 T X
_H BE5 MASSIVE1 T ALL ATTEMPTS 6REVIVE
HM _H FAIL$4 ,DID %E WI% 6H ANY ( H]
HUSB&'S ORGANS DONAT$8 %E IS ASK$4 ,&
!N1 IS "! ANY"O 9 ! ,CLEVEL& >EA 6ID5TI-
FY & CLAIM ! BODY8 ,9/1D ( ANSW]+1
,A%IMA HANGS UP ! PH"O Z ! WOMAN    #BIJ
IS / SP1K+1 PRESS+ D[N ! RCVR Z H>D Z %E
C 96! CRADLE1 KEEP+ H] H& "! =A FULL M9-
UTE1 Z IF 6S"M ! ^WS %E'S J HE>D4 ,%E
/>ES AT H] EMPTY T1CUP1 & !N AT ! KETTLE
ON ! /OVE1 : %E'D _H 6TURN (F 9 ORD] TO
HE> H] HUSB&'S VOICE J A FEW H\RS AGO4
,%E 2G9S 6%IV] VIOL5TLY1 ! H\SE 9/ANTLY
FEEL+ TW5TY DEGREES COLD]4 ,%E PULLS H]
S>I TI<TLY >.D H] %\LD]S1 L A %AWL4 ,%E
GETS UP & WALKS SY/EMATIC,Y "? ! ROOMS
(! H\SE1 TURN+ ON ALL ! LI<T SWIT*ES1
TURN+ ON ! LAMPPO/ ON ! LAWN &! FLOOD-
LI<T OV] ! G>AGE1 Z IF %E & ,A%OKE >E
EXPECT+ -PANY4 ,%E RETURNS 6! KIT*5 &
/>ES AT ! PILE ( C>DS ON ! TA#1 9 ! R$
5VELOPES X _H PL1S$ H] S M* 6BUY1 MO/ (
!M R1DY 6BE DROPP$ 9 ! MAILBOX4 ,H] HUS-
B&'S "N IS ON ALL ( !M4 ,%E OP5S H] AD-
DRESS BOOK1 SU45LY UNA# 6REMEMB] H]
SON'S PH"O NUMB]1 A ?+ %E C NORM,Y DIAL
9 H] SLEEP4 ,"! IS NO ANSW] AT 8 (FICE
OR AT 8 A"P;T & S %E TRIES ! NUMB] %E
HAS WRITT5 D[N = ,MAX9E4 ,X'S LI/$1 AL;G
)! O!R NUMB]S1 "U ;,G1 BO? = .,GANGULI
&= .,GOGOL4                         #BIA

  ,SONIA FLIES BACK F ,SAN ,FRANCISCO TO
2 ) ,A%IMA4 ,GOGOL FLIES F ,LA,GU>DIA TO
,CLEVEL& AL"O4 ,HE L1VES E>LY ! NEXT
MORN+1 BO>D+ ! F/ FLI<T HE C GET4 ,ON !
PLANE HE />ES "? ! W9D[ AT ! L& 2L1 AT !
SN[-COV]$ PAT*ES (! ,MIDWE/ & AT CURV+
RIV]S T SEEM COV]$ ) T9FOIL GL9T+ "U !
SUN4 ,! PLANE'S %APE D>K5S A %IFT+ L5G?
( GR.D4 ,! FLI<T IS M ?AN HALF EMPTY1 M5
&A FEW WOM5 9 BUSI;S SUITS1 P US$ 6S*
FLI<TS & 6TRAVEL+ AT S* H\RS1 TYP+ ON
LAPTOPS OR R1D+ ! NEWS (! "D4 ,HE IS UN-
A3U/OM$ 6! BANAL;Y ( DOME/IC FLI<TS1 !
N>R[ CAB91 ! S+LE BAG HE'S PACK$1 SMALL
5 6/[ OV]H1D4 ,MAX9E HAS (F]$ 6G ) HM1 B
HE HAS TOLD H] NO4 ,HE DOESN'T WANT 6BE
) "S"O :O B>ELY KNEW 8 "F1 :O'S MET HM
ONLY ONCE4 ,%E WALK$ HM 6,N9? ,AV5UE1
/OOD ) HM AT DAWN1 H] HAIR UNCOMB$1 H]
FACE / ?ICK ) SLEEP1 H] COAT &A PAIR (
BOOTS SLIPP$ ON OV] H] PAJAMAS4 ,HE )-
DREW CA% F AN ,,ATM1 HAIL$ A CAB4 ,MO/
(! C;Y1 9CLUD+ ,G]ALD & ,LYDIA1 7 /
ASLEEP 9 _! B$S4                    #BIB
  ,HE & ,MAX9E _H BE5 AT A BOOK "PY = "O
( ,MAX9E'S WRIT] FRS ! NI<T 2F4 ,AFW
!Y'D G"O \ 6D9N] )A SMALL GR\P4 ,AT AB
T5 O'C !Y RETURN$ 6H] P>5TS' H\SE Z USU-
AL1 TIR$ Z IF X 7 M* LAT]1 PAUS+ ON _!
WAY UP/AIRS 6SAY GD NI<T 6,G]ALD & ,LYD-
IA1 :O 7 SITT+ "U A BLANKET ON ! S(A1
WAT*+ A ,FR5* FILM ON VIDEO1 SIPP+
GLASSES ( AF-D9N] W9E4 ,! LI<TS _H BE5
TURN$ (F1 B F ! GL[ (! TELEVI.N SCRE5
,GOGOL CD SEE T ,LYDIA 0 RE/+ H] H1D ON
,G]ALD'S %\LD]1 T !Y BO? _H _! FEET
PROPP$ AG/ ! $GE (! C(FEE TA#4 8,OH1
,NICK4 ,YR "M CALL$10 ,G]ALD _H SD1
GLANC+ UP F ! SCRE54 8,TWICE10 ,LYDIA
A4$4 ,HE FELT A /+ ( EMB>RASS;T4 ,NO1 %E
_HN'T LEFT ANY MESSAGE1 !Y SD4 ,8 "M
CALL$ HM M (T5 ^! "DS1 N[ T %E 0 LIV+ ON
H] [N4 ,E "D1 X SEEM$1 %E NE$$ 6HE> !
VOICES ( H] *N4 ,B %E _H N"E CALL$ HM AT
,MAX9E'S P>5TS'4 ,%E CALL$ HM AT "W1 OR
LEFT MESSAGES AT 8 A"P;T T HE WD RCV "DS
LAT]4 ,HE DECID$ T :AT"E X 0 CD WAIT UN-
TIL MORN+4 8,?ANKS1 ,G]ALD10 HE'D SD1 8
>M >.D ,MAX9E'S WAI/1 TURN+ 6L1VE   #BIC
! ROOM4 ,B !N ! PH"O _H RUNG AG4 8,HEL-
LO10 ,G]ALD _H SD1 & !N 6,GOGOL1 8,X'S
YR SI/] ? "T40
  ,HE TAKES A CAB F ! AIRPORT 6! HOSPI-
TAL1 %OCK$ 0H[ M* COLD] X IS 9 ,OHIO ?AN
9 ,NEW ,YORK1 0! ?ICK LAY] ( SN[ T CAKES
! GR.D4 ,! HOSPITAL IS A -P.D ( BEIGE
/"O BUILD+S SITUAT$ ON ! CRE/ (A S(TLY
SLOP+ HILL4 ,HE 5T]S ! SAME EM]G5CY ROOM
8 "F _H 5T]$ ! "D 2F4 ,AF GIV+ 8 "N1 HE
IS TOLD 6TAKE ! ELEVATOR 6! SIX? FLOOR1
& !N 6WAIT 9 AN EMPTY ROOM1 ! WALLS
PA9T$ A RI* D>K BLUE4 ,HE WAT*ES ! CLOCK
ON ! WALL1 DONAT$1 AL;G )! RE/ (! FUR-
NI%+S 9 ! ROOM1 0! LOV+ FAMILY ( "S"O
"ND ,EUG5E ,>?UR4 ,"! >E NO MAGAZ9ES 9 !
WAIT+ ROOM1 NO TELEVI.N1 ONLY A COLLEC;N
( MAT*+ W+ *AIRS L9$ UP AG/ ! WALLS &A
WAT] F.TA9 AT "O 5D4 ,"? ! GLASS DOOR HE
SEES A :ITE HALLWAY1 A FEW EMPTY HOSPI-
TAL B$S4 ,"! IS LL -MO;N1 NO DOCTORS OR
NURSES SCURRY+ D[N ! HALLS4 ,HE KEEPS 8
EYES ON ! ELEVATOR1 HALF EXPECT+ 8 "F TO
WALK \ & FET* HM1 69DICATE1 )A SLI<T
TILT (! H1D1 T X IS "T 6G4 ,:5 !    #BID
ELEVATOR DOORS EV5TU,Y OP51 HE SEES A
C>T /ACK$ ) BR1KFA/ TRAYS1 MO/ ( _! CON-
T5TS HI45 "U DOMES1 & T9Y C>TONS ( MILK4
,HE FEELS HUNGRY ALL (A SU451 WI%ES HE'D
?"\ 6SAVE ! BAGEL ! /EW>DESS _H H&$ HM
ON ! PLANE4 ,8 LA/ M1L _H BE5 AT ! RES-
TAURANT ! NI<T 2F1 A B"R1 BU/L+ PLACE 9
,*9AT[N4 ,!Y _H WAIT$ NE>LY AN H\R ON !
SIDEWALK = _! TA# & !N F1/$ ON FL[]+
*IVES & SALT$ SQUID &! CLAMS 9 BLACK B1N
SAUCE T ,MAX9E LOV$ BE/4 ,!Y 7 ALR DRUNK
F ! BOOK "PY1 LAZILY SIPP+ _! BE]S1 _!
COLD CUPS ( JASM9E TEA4 ,ALL T "T1 8 "F
0 9 ! HOSPITAL1 ALR D1D4
  ,! DOOR OP5S &A %ORT1 PL1SANT-LOOK+1
MI4LE-AG$ MAN )A SALT-&-PEPP] BE>D /EPS
96! ROOM4 ,HE WE>S A :ITE KNEE-L5G? COAT
OV] 8 CLO?+ & C>RIES A CLIPBO>D4 8,HEL-
LO10 HE SAYS1 SMIL+ K9DLY AT ,GOGOL4
  8,>E Y--W]E Y MY "F'S DOCTOR80
  8,NO4 ,I'M ,MR4 ,DAV5PORT4 ,I'LL 2
TAK+ Y D[N/AIRS40
  ,MR4 ,DAV5PORT ESCORTS ,GOGOL 9 AN EL-
EVATOR RES]V$ = PATI5TS & DOCTORS1 6!
SUBBASE;T (! HOSPITAL4 ,HE /&S )    #BIE
,GOGOL 9 ! MORGUE Z A %EET IS PULL$ BACK
6%[ 8 "F'S FACE4 ,! FACE IS YELL[ &
WAXY1 A ?ICK5$1 O4LY BLOAT$ IMAGE4 ,!
LIPS1 NE>LY COLOR.S1 >E SET 9 AN EXPRES-
.N ( UN"*I/IC HAU<TI;S4 ,2L ! %EET1 ,GO-
GOL R1LIZES1 8 "F IS UNCLO!D4 ,! FACT
%AMES HM1 CAUSES HM 6TURN BRIEFLY AWAY4
,:5 HE LOOKS AG HE /UDIES ! FACE M
CLOSELY1 / ?9K+ T P]H X'S A MISTAKE1 T A
TAP ON 8 "F'S %\LD] W WAKE HM4 ,! ONLY
?+ T FEELS FAMILI> IS ! MU/A*E1 ! EXCESS
HAIR ON 8 *EEKS & *9 %AV$ LESS ?AN
TW5TY-F\R H\RS AGO4
  8,HIS GLASSES >E MISS+10 ,GOGOL SAYS1
LOOK+ UP AT ,MR4 ,DAV5PORT4
  ,MR4 ,DAV5PORT DOES N REPLY4 ,AF A FEW
M9UTES HE SAYS1 8,MR4 ,GANGULI1 >E Y A#
6POSITIVELY ID5TIFY ! BODY8 ,IS ? YR
"F80
  8,YES1 T'S HM10 ,GOGOL HE>S HMF SAY+4
,AF A FEW MO;TS HE R1LIZES T A *AIR HAS
BE5 BR"\ = HM 6SIT IN1 T ,MR4 ,DAV5PORT
HAS /EPP$ ASIDE4 ,GOGOL SITS D[N4 ,HE
WOND]S IF HE %D T\* 8 "F'S FACE1 LAY A
H& ON 8 =EH1D Z 8 "F US$ 6D 6,GO-   #BIF
GOL :5 HE 0 UNWELL1 6SEE IF HE _H A FE-
V]4 ,& YET HE FEELS T]RIFI$ 6D S1 UNA#
6MOVE4 ,EV5TU,Y1 ) 8 9DEX F+]1 HE GRAZES
8 "F'S MU/A*E1 AN EYEBR[1 A BIT (! HAIR
ON 8 H1D1 ^? "PS ( HM1 HE "KS1 T >E /
QUIETLY LIV+4
  ,MR4 ,DAV5PORT ASKS ,GOGOL IF HE'S
R1DY1 & !N ! %EET IS REPLAC$1 & HE IS L$
F ! ROOM4 ,A RESID5T >RIVES1 EXPLA9+ EX-
ACTLY H[ & :5 ! HE>T ATTACK HAPP5$1 :Y
"! 0 NO?+ ! DOCTORS CD D4 ,GOGOL IS GIV5
! CLO!S 8 "F _H BE5 WE>+1 NAVY SLACKS1 A
:ITE %IRT ) BR[N /RIPES1 A GRAY ,L4 ,L4
,B1N SW1T] VE/ T ,GOGOL & ,SONIA _H GOT-
T5 HM = ,*RI/MAS "O YE>4 ,D>K BR[N
SOCKS1 LI<T BR[N %OES4 ,8 GLASSES4 ,A
TR5* COAT &A SC>F4 ,! ITEMS BRIM 6! TOP
(A L>GE PAP] %OPP+ BAG4 ,"! IS A BOOK 9
! POCKET (! TR5* COAT1 A COPY ( .,!
.,-$IANS 0,GRAHAM ,GRE5E1 ) YELL[ PAGES
& T9Y PR9T4 ,OP5+ ! COV]1 HE SEES T !
BOOK _H BE5 B"\ US$1 A /RANG]'S "N1 ,ROY
,GOODW91 IS WRITT5 9SIDE4 ,9 A SEP>ATE
5VELOPE HE IS GIV5 8 "F'S WALLET1 8 C>
KEYS4 ,HE TELLS ! HOSPITAL T NO     #BIG
RELIGI\S S]VICES >E NEC1 IS TOLD T ! A%-
ES WD 2 R1DY 9 A FEW "DS4 ,HE CD PICK !M
UP P]SON,Y1 AT ! FUN]AL HOME ! HOSPITAL
SU7E/S1 OR H !M S5T1 AL;G )! D1? C]TIFI-
CATE1 DIRECTLY 6,PEMB]TON ,ROAD4 ,2F
L1V+ HE ASKS 6SEE ! EXACT PLACE 9 ! EM]-
G5CY ROOM 8 "F 0 LA/ ALIVE4 ,! B$ NUMB]
IS LOOK$ UP ON A *>T2 A "Y MAN ) 8 >M 9
A SL+ LIES 9 X N[1 O!RWISE 9 GD _SS1
TALK+ ON ! TELEPH"O4 ,GOGOL GLIMPSES !
CURTA9S T _H "PLY GIRD$ 8 "F :5 LIFE
LEFT HM1 GRE5 & GRAY FL[]S )A SEC;N (
:ITE ME% AT ! TOP2 METAL HOOKS HANG F !
CEIL+1 TRAVEL+ ON A :ITE ;,U-%AP$ RAIL4

  ,8 "F'S L1S$ C>1 DESCRIB$ 6HM 0HIS "M
ON ! TELEPH"O LA/ NI<T1 IS / P>K$ 9 !
VISITORS' P>K+ LOT4 ,,AM NEWS FILLS 8
E>S Z SOON Z HE TURNS ON ! IGNI;N1 />TL+
HM2 8 "F _H ALW BE5 "PICUL> AB TURN+ (F
! RADIO AT ! 5D (A DRIVE4 ,9 FACT1 "! IS
NO SIGN ( 8 "F 9 ! C>4 ,NO MAPS OR
SCRAPS ( PAP]1 NO EMPTY CUPS OR LOOSE
*ANGE OR RECEIPTS4 ,ALL HE F9DS 9 !
GLOVE -"P;T IS ! REGI/R,N &! [N-    #BIH
]'S MANUAL4 ,HE SP5DS A FEW M9UTES R1D+
"? ! MANUAL1 -P>+ ! F1TURES (! DA%BO>D
6! ILLU/R,N 9 ! BOOK4 ,HE TURNS ! WIP]S
ON & (F & TE/S ! H1DLI<TS EV5 ?\< X'S /
"DLI<T4 ,HE %UTS (F ! RADIO1 DRIVES 9
SIL;E "? ! COLD1 BL1K AFN1 "? ! FLAT1
*>M.S T[N HE W N"E VISIT AG4 ,HE FOLL[S
DIREC;NS A NURSE AT ! HOSPITAL GAVE HM
6! A"P;T ": 8 "F _H LIV$1 WOND]+ IF ?
R\TE IS ! SAME "O 8 "F _H TAK5 :5 HE
DROVE HMF 6! HOSPITAL4 ,EA* "T HE PASSES
A RE/AURANT HE 3SID]S TURN+ (F ! ROAD1 B
!N HE F9DS HMF 9 A RESID5TIAL SEC;N1
BLOCKS ( ,VICTORIAN MAN.NS ON SN[-COV]$
LAWNS1 SIDEWALKS COV]$ ) LACY PAT*ES (
ICE4
  ,8 "F'S A"P;T IS "P (A -PLEX CALL$
,B>ON'S ,C\RT4 ,2Y ! GATE1 OV]SIZ$ SILV]
MAILBOXES1 SPACI\S 5 6HOLD A MON?'S WOR?
( MAIL1 /& 9 A R[4 ,A MAN \TSIDE ! F/ (!
BUILD+S1 M>K$ .,R5TAL .,(FICE1 NODS 6HM
Z HE DRIVES PA/1 SEEM+ 6RECOGNIZE ! C>4
,HAS HE MISTAK5 HM = 8 "F8 ,GOGOL WON-
D]S1 ! ?"\ -=T+4 ,! ONLY ?+ 64T+UI% EA*
BUILD+ IS A NUMB] &A "N2 6EI SIDE   #BII
( X >E M UNITS1 ABSOLUTELY ID5TICAL1 EA*
?REE /ORIES TALL1 >RANG$ >.D A VA/ LOOP+
ROAD4 ,TUDOR FACADES1 T9Y METAL BALCO-
NIES1 WOOD *IPS "U ! /AIRS4 ,! REL5T.S
UNI=M;Y ( X UPSETS HM PROF.DLY1 M S ?AN
EV5 ! HOSPITAL1 &! SI<T ( 8 "F'S FACE4
,?9K+ ( 8 "F LIV+ "H AL"O ^! PA/ ?REE
MON?S1 HE FEELS ! F/ ?R1T ( TE>S1 B HE
"KS T 8 "F DID N M9D1 T HE 0 N (F5D$ 0S*
?+S4 ,HE P>KS 9 FRONT ( 8 "F'S BUILD+1
REMA9+ L;G 5 9 ! C> 6SEE AN ELD]LY1
SP"RLY C\PLE EM]GE ) T5NIS RACKETS4 ,HE
REMEMB]S 8 "F TELL+ HM T ! RESID5TS >E
MO/LY RETIR$1 OR DIVORC$4 ,"! >E PA?S =
WALK+1 A SMALL EX]CISE -PLEX1 A MAN-MADE
POND SURR.D$ 0B5*ES & WILL[ TREES4
  ,8 "F'S A"P;T IS ON ! SECOND FLOOR4
,HE UNLOCKS ! DOOR1 TAKES (F 8 %OES1
PUTS !M ON ! PLA/IC RUNN] T 8 "F M/ H
PLAC$ "! 6PROTECT ! PLU% (F-:ITE WALL-
TO-WALL C>PET+4 ,HE SEES A PAIR ( 8 "F'S
SN1K]S1 &A PAIR ( FLIP-FLOPS = WE>+ >.D
! H\SE4 ,! DOOR OP5S ONTO A SPACI\S LIV+
ROOM1 )A SLID+ GLASS DOOR 6! "R1 A KIT*5
6! LEFT4 ,NO?+ HANGS ON ! FRE%LY    #CJJ
PA9T$ IVORY WALLS4 ,! KIT*5 IS SEP>AT$
ON "O SIDE 0A HALF WALL1 "O (! ?+S 8 "M
ALW WANT$ 9 _! [N H\SE1 S T X WD 2 POS-
SI# 6COOK & / SEE & SP1K 6P 9 ANO!R
ROOM4 ,AG/ ! REFRIG]ATOR IS A PICTURE (
HMF & 8 "M & ,SONIA1 2H A MAGNET F A LO-
CAL BANK4 ,!Y >E /&+ AT ,FATEHPUR ,SIKRI
) CLO?S TI$ OV] _! FEET 6PROTECT !M F !
HOT /"O SURFACE4 ,HE 0 A FRE%MAN 9 HI<
S*OOL1 ?9 & GLUM1 ,SONIA J A GIRL1 8 "M
9 A SALWAR KAMEEZE1 "S?+ %E 0 TOO %Y TO
WE> 9 FRONT ( _! RELATIVES 9 ,CALCUTTA1
:O ALW EXPECT$ H] 6BE 9 A S>I4 ,HE OP5S
! CUPBO>DS1 F/ ! "OS ABV ! C.T]TOP1 !N !
"OS 2L4 ,MO/ ( !M >E EMPTY4 ,HE F9DS F\R
PLATES1 TWO MUGS1 F\R GLASSES4 ,9 A
DRAW] HE F9DS "O KNIFE & TWO =KS1 A PAT-
T]N RECOGNIZA# F HOME4 ,9 ANO!R CUPBO>D
>E A BOX ( TEA BAGS1 ,PEEK ,FR1NS %ORT-
BR1D BISCUITS1 A FIVE-P.D BAG ( SUG> T
HAS N BE5 P\R$ 96A B[L1 A T9 ( EVAPORAT$
MILK4 ,"! >E S"EAL SMALL BAGS ( YELL[
SPLIT P1S &A L>GE PLA/IC BAG ( RICE4 ,A
RICE COOK] SITS M9D;LLY UNPLU7$ ON !
C.T]4 ,! L$GE (! /OVE IS L9$ )A     #CJA
FEW SPICE J>S1 LABEL$ 9 8 "M'S H&4 ,2L !
S9K HE F9DS A BOTTLE ( ,W9DEX1 A BOX (
TRA% BAGS1 A S+LE SP;GE4
  ,HE WALKS "? ! RE/ (! A"P;T4 ,2H !
LIV+ ROOM IS A SMALL B$ROOM ) NO?+ 9 X B
A B$1 & ACR F X A W9D[.S BA?ROOM4 ,A J>
( ,POND'S COLD CR1M1 8 "F'S LIFEL;G AN-
SW] 6AF-%AVE1 SITS AT ! SIDE (! S9K4 ,HE
GOES 6"W IMMLY1 GO+ "? ! ROOM & PUTT+
?+S 96G>BAGE BAGS3 ! SPICES1 ! COLD
CR1M1 ! ISSUE ( .,"T MAGAZ9E 0HIS "F'S
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8,I DON'T "K ANY"O "H40
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96A HOTEL40                         #CJD
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8 H1D1 EMANAT+ F DEEP 9SIDE 8 SKULL4 ,HE
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8 D9N]1 T X EQUAL$ A 4T.E ( TWO MILES4
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/RICK5 "F1 & ,SONIA1 J A BABY1 _H CRI$4

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FAMILY ( F\R1 !Y 2COME A H\SEHOLD ( T51
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,SMALL SN[Y LAWNS4 ,A SOLID %ELF ( W9T]
CL\DS /OPS J %ORT (! HORIZON4 ,M SN[1
POSSIBLY H1VY1 IS EXPECT$ 0EV5+4 ,HE
HE>S A "Y WOMAN "S": 9 ! -"P;T1     #CAF
TALK+ 6H] BOYFR ON A CELL PH"O1 S(TLY
LAU<+4 ,%E TALKS AB ": !Y %D MEET = D9N]
ONCE %E GETS 96! C;Y4 8,I'M S BOR$10 %E
-PLA9S4 ,GOGOL W >RIVE 9 ,NEW ,YORK 9 "T
= D9N] Z WELL4 ,MAX9E W 2 "! 6GREET HM
AT ,P5N ,/,N1 "S?+ %E HAS N"E BO!R$ 6D 9
! PA/1 WAIT+ = HM "U ! >RIVALS-&-
DE"PURES BO>D4
  ,! L&SCAPE J]KS =W>D1 FALLS AWAY1 !
TRA9 CA/+ A PASS+ %AD[ ON AN EXPANSE (
NONDESCRIPT BUILD+S4 ,! TRACKS RESEM#
5D.S LA4]S T /RET* AH1D R ?AN UPW>D1
ROOT$ 6! GR.D4 ,2T ,WE/]LY & ,MY/IC1 !
TRACKS >E AT AN ANGLE1 EMB$D$ 96! SLOP+
L&1 S T ! :OLE TRA9 ?R1T5S1 "E S SLI<T-
LY1 6TOPPLE OV]4 ,?\< ! O!R PASS5G]S
SELDOM -;T ON ?1 ! WAY !Y D1 = EXAMPLE1
:5 ! 5G9E *ANGES AT ,NEW ,HAV5 F DIESEL
6ELECTRIC )A SU45 JOLT1 ? MO;T>Y %IFT
N"E FAILS 6R\SE ,GOGOL F 8 NAP1 OR !
BOOK HE IS R1D+1 OR ! 3V]S,N HE IS 5GAG$
IN1 OR ! ?"\ T HAS GA!R$ 9 8 H1D4 ,!
TRA9 TILTS 6! LEFT H1D+ S\? 6,NEW ,YORK1
6! "R ON ! WAY 6,BO/ON4 ,9 T BRIEF P]IOD
( SU7E/$ P]IL1 HE ?9KS1 ALW1 ( T    #CAG
O!R TRA9 HE HAS N"E SE51 ! "O T _H NE>LY
KILL$ 8 "F4 ,(! 4A/] T HAS GIV5 HM 8 "N4
  ,! TRA9 "RS XF1 ! ANGLE FALLS 2H4 ,AG
HE FEELS XS MO;N AT ! SMALL ( 8 BACK4 ,=
S"EAL MILES ! TRACKS HUG ! OC1N1 : IS
CLOSE 5 6T\*4 ,! %ALL[E/ WAVES LAP AG/
M]E 9*ES ( %ORE4 ,HE SEES A /"O BRIDGE1
SCATT]$ ISL&S ! SIZE ( ROOMS1 GRACI\S
GRAY & :ITE HOMES ) PL1SANT VIEWS4 ,BOXY
H\SES BUILT ON /ILTS4 ,L"O H]ONS & COR-
MORANTS P]* ON BL1*$ WOOD5 PO/S4 ,BOATS
) NAK$ MA/S CR[D ! M>9A4 ,X IS A VIEW 8
"F WD H APPRECIAT$1 & ,GOGOL IS REM9D$ (
! _M "TS HE _H DRIV5 ) 8 FAMILY1 ON COLD
,SUN"D AFNS1 6! SEA4 ,"! 7 "TS :5 X _H
BE5 S COLD T !Y _H SIMPLY SAT 9 ! C>1 9
! P>K+ LOT1 LOOK+ AT ! WAT]1 8 P>5TS %>+
TEA F A !RMOS 9 ! FRONT S1T1 ! 5G9E RUN-
N+ 6KEEP !M W>M4 ,ONCE !Y _H G"O 6,CAPE
,COD1 DRIV+ AL;G T CURV+ PIECE ( L& UN-
TIL !Y CD DRIVE NO F>!R4 ,HE & 8 "F _H
WALK$ 6! V TIP1 ACR ! BR1KWAT]1 A /R+ (
GIANT GRAY SLANT$ /"OS1 & !N ON ! N>R[1
F9AL 9W>D CRESC5T ( S&4 ,8 "M _H /OPP$
AF A FEW /"OS & WAIT$ ) ,SONIA1     #CAH
TOO "Y 6G ) !M1 AT H] SIDE4 8,DON'T G
TOO F>10 8 "M _H W>N$1 8DON'T G S T ,I
C'T SEE Y40 ,8 LEGS 2GAN 6A*E HALFWAY
"!1 B 8 "F M>*$ AH1D1 /OPP+ AT "TS 6L5D
,GOGOL AN >M1 8 BODY SLI<TLY TILT$ :5 HE
RE/$ ON A ROCK4 ,:ILE ON ^! ROCKS1 "S F>
A"P 5 6MAKE !M PAUSE & 3SID] ! BE/ WAY
6R1* ! NEXT "O1 WAT] _H SURR.D$ !M ON
BO? SIDES4 ,X 0 E>LY W9T]4 ,DUCKS SWAM 9
! TIDE POOLS4 ,! WAVES FL[$ 9 TWO DIREC-
;NS4 8,HE'S TOO LL10 8 "M _H CALL$ \4
8,>E Y LI/5+8 ,HE'S TOO LL 6G S F>40
,GOGOL _H /OPP$ !N1 ?9K+ T P]H 8 "F WD
AGREE4 8,:AT D Y SAY80 8 "F _H SD 9/1D4
8,>E Y TOO LL8 ,NO1 ,I DIDN'T ?9K S40
  ,AT ! 5D (! BR1KWAT]1 "! 0 A FIELD (
YELL[ RE$S 6! "R1 & DUNES 2Y1 &! OC1N 2H
X ALL4 ,HE _H EXPECT$ 8 "F 6TURN BACK1 B
/ !Y _H 3T9U$1 /EPP+ ONTO ! S&4 ,!Y
WALK$ AL;G ! WAT] 6! LEFT1 H1D+ T[>D !
LI<TH\SE1 PA/ RU/$ BOAT FRAMES1 FI%
SP9ES Z ?ICK Z PIPES ATTA*$ 6YELL[
SKULLS1 A D1D GULL ^: F1!RY :ITE BR1/ 0
FRE%LY /A9$ ) BLOOD4 ,!Y 2GAN 6PICK UP
SMALL1 FAD$ BLACK /"OS ) :ITE       #CAI
/RIPES RUNN+ >.D !M1 /U6+ !M 96_! POCK-
ETS S T !Y DROOP$ ON EI SIDE4 ,HE REMEM-
B]S 8 "F'S FOOTPR9TS 9 ! S&2 2C ( 8
LIMP1 ! "R TOE ( 8 %OE 0 ALW TURN$ \T-
W>D1 ! LEFT /RAI<T AH1D4 ,_! %AD[S T "D
7 UNNATUR,Y SL5D] & L;G1 L1N+ 9 T[>D EA*
O!R1 ! LATE AFN SUN AT _! BACKS4 ,!Y
PAUS$ 6REG>D A CRACK$ WOOD5 BUOY PA9T$
BLUE & :ITE1 %AP$ L AN OLD P>ASOL4 ,!
SURFACE 0 WRAPP$ ) ?9 BR[N /R&S ( S1WE$
& 5CRU/$ ) B>NACLES4 ,8 "F LIFT$ & IN-
SPECT$ X1 PO9T+ 6A LIVE MUSSEL "UN1?4
,F9,Y !Y /OOD 0! LI<TH\SE1 EXHAU/$1 SUR-
R.D$ 0WAT] ON ?REE SIDES1 PALE GRE5 9 !
H>BOR1 AZURE 2H4 ,OV]H1T$ F ! EX];N1 !Y
UNZIPP$ _! COATS4 ,8 "F /EPP$ AWAY 6URI-
NATE4 ,HE HE>D 8 "F CRY \--!Y _H LEFT !
CAM]A ) 8 "M4 8,ALL ? WAY1 & NO PIC-
TURE10 HE'D SD1 %AK+ 8 H1D4 ,HE R1*$ 9TO
8 POCKET & 2GAN 6?R[ ! /RIP$ /"OS 96!
WAT]4 8,WE W H 6REMEMB] X1 !N40 ,!Y
LOOK$ >.D1 AT ! GRAY & :ITE T[N T GL[$
ACR ! H>BOR4 ,!N !Y />T$ BACK AG1 =A
:ILE TRY+ N 6MAKE AN EXTRA SET (
FOOT/EPS1 9S]T+ _! %OES 96! "OS     #CBJ
!Y _H J MADE4 ,A W9D _H PICK$ UP1 S /R;G
T X =C$ !M 6/OP N[ & !N4
  8,W Y REMEMB] ? "D1 ,GOGOL80 8 "F _H
ASK$1 TURN+ BACK 6LOOK AT HM1 8 H&S
PRESS$ L E>MU6S 6EI SIDE ( 8 H1D4
  8,H[ L;G D ,I H 6REMEMB] X80
  ,OV] ! RISE & FALL (! W9D1 HE CD HE> 8
"F'S LAU<T]4 ,HE 0 /&+ "!1 WAIT+ = ,GO-
GOL 6CAT* UP1 PUTT+ \ A H& Z ,GOGOL DREW
NE>4
  8,TRY 6REMEMB] X ALW10 HE SD ONCE ,GO-
GOL _H R1*$ HM1 L1D+ HM SL[LY BACK ACR !
BR1KWAT]1 6": 8 "M & ,SONIA /OOD WAIT+4
8,REMEMB] T Y & ,I MADE ? J\RNEY1 T WE
W5T TGR 6A PLACE ": "! 0 NO": LEFT 6G40